Story County Extension Briefs, Dec. 17

Saturday

Dec 17, 2011 at 5:59 AM

4-H Fundraiser a success: Barns, Buttons, 'N' Bows 2011 was a great evening for supporters of the Story County 4-H program. It was all about having fun and raising dollars for the benefit of 4-H youth. Nearly 160 individuals participated in a silent and live auction and competed in the 4-H trivia activity. Things got lively when they started to bid for 12 delicious desserts. Tables of 8 combined their resources which resulted in some desserts bringing over $200. The event cleared $10,500 which goes into the Story County 4-H Foundation. Those dollars support new clubs, educational experiences for youth, scholarships, club grants for community service projects, and membership fees.

4-H Fundraiser a success: Barns, Buttons, ‘N’ Bows 2011 was a great evening for supporters of the Story County 4-H program. It was all about having fun and raising dollars for the benefit of 4-H youth. Nearly 160 individuals participated in a silent and live auction and competed in the 4-H trivia activity. Things got lively when they started to bid for 12 delicious desserts. Tables of 8 combined their resources which resulted in some desserts bringing over $200. The event cleared $10,500 which goes into the Story County 4-H Foundation. Those dollars support new clubs, educational experiences for youth, scholarships, club grants for community service projects, and membership fees.

Story County offers Master Gardener Program: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Story and Boone Counties will be offering a Master Gardener training course this spring. Classes will meet at Reiman Gardens in Ames for all sessions with the exception of one Saturday session that will be on the ISU campus.

The program provides selected volunteers training on many aspects of gardening. In exchange for training, Master Gardeners share their time and knowledge on approved projects within their local communities. Training consists of 40 hours of web based or face-to-face instruction at extension offices throughout Iowa. After training, participants must complete a one-year Master Gardener internship consisting of 40 hours of volunteer service. Additional volunteer hours and ongoing training are required in subsequent years to maintain the Master Gardener status.

Sessions will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 and 31, Feb. 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 and 28, and March 6 and 8, at Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., in Ames. One Saturday sessions will be Feb. 11, on the ISU campus in Ames.

Cost per participant is $150. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 2. Late registrations will be accepted, unless class is full, with a $25 late fee. Call or e-mail Alison Boelman at Story County Extension for registration information at (515) 382-6551 or aboelman@iastate.edu.

The fees for service will be used to offset direct expenses and to support the Agriculture and Natural Resources Story County Extension Program.